Dan Gamelin has won the Democratic primary in his bid for another term as Chittenden County’s sheriff, dismissing a challenge from outsider Kevin Bloom.
Gamelin, who has spent almost his entire career with the sheriff’s department, was first elected sheriff in 2022 and has since leveraged private security contracts to greatly expand his department.
The primary contest between him and Bloom shaped up to be one of the more curious races this political season, highlighting the unique role sheriffs play in Vermont’s law enforcement landscape.
Bloom, a transgender musician from Burlington, has no law enforcement experience and campaigned on a promise to reform the way the sheriff’s office handles eviction cases. But while receiving support from many local progressives, Bloom was unable to win over moderate Democrats, especially those outside of Burlington.
With no Republicans in the race, Gamelin is expected to prevail in November.